Challenge Yourself discussion

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Challenge Discussion > So how's the year working out for you?

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message 101: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Entering the homestretch for the year. How is everyone doing this year?

Personally, I've finished 3 challenges, plus I'm on track for 2 other challenges, and I'm still sadly behind on another 2 challenges. I'm hoping to get a lot of reading done over Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks and maybe catch-up. Fun, fun!


message 102: by Darkpool (new)

Darkpool | 55 comments Two completed, 3 I'm ahead on, 5 I'm behind. One of those five I have read a grand total of zero!!! clearly I don't believe in second chances.


message 103: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments I've completed 5 of my challenges. Some of them were far exceeded what I had put down for a goal. There are two that I'm behind on and I doubt that I will get them finished.


message 104: by Almeta (last edited Jan 10, 2016 10:55AM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Well, I'm doing better than I thought.

✔Serial Eyes = 100
✔Doorstops = 5
✔Shortcuts = 10
✔Chain Link Fence (got-connections) = 32
✔Left Over Stew = 10
✔Time Waits for No One (Harlem Renaissance) = 5

Double Dog Dare = 70 Will make it by year's end.
Shelving Unit (Sai King Recommends) = 20 Will make it by year's end.
Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die = 5 One more to go.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! = 65 close, I'm pretty sure I have way exceeded this, but I always forget to mark the books as audio.

HOME ALONE = 30 I fail at this every year. Obviously the Grass is Greener on the Other Side!

World Tour = 25 I even cut this in half this year, and still am not likely to make it.

Authorization (Rock Bottom Remainders) = 24 I thought it was a good idea at the time!


message 105: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments I met all but two of my challenges this year. I missed the goal on "Second Chance" and "Home Alone".

I'm looking forward to Friday. I'm going to spend time setting up my 2016 challenges. Woot!


message 106: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments Almeta wrote: "HOME ALONE = 30 I fail at this every year. Obviously the Grass is Greener on the Other Side!"

I suffer from the same malady as I look at my bookcases full of books gathering dust.


message 107: by Roz (new)

Roz | 39 comments I was hoping to do better this year but I exceeded 2 of my challenges (Serial Eyes, of course, and Left Over Stew). Came close to meeting my goals for EDingus (8/10), but fell far behind on Left Over Stew and Doorstoppers.
Oh, well, there's always next year. I'll think about new goals tomorrow.


message 108: by Almeta (last edited Jan 09, 2016 09:59AM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
I was actually here on January 1st to "force"updates for our challenges and to publish our year-end recap and found that I was locked out of any updating. Got fed up with that, wrote a message to Goodreds Feedback and have had no response. So I stalled!

So here's the deal .... when you view the challenge statistics for your personal challenge, your stats may not be displayed correctly, however if you click on the blue link that shows x number of books out of your x number goal, you will be shown a page displaying the bookcovers for those books that you read. THAT SET of STATISTICS will be correct. This will not be the ones that show on your home page profile though.

Also, in the past, I used the previous year's challenge widgets to setup for the new year, because the expired ones can not be archived. This avoided the clutter of all years showing up intermingled on the page....just reset the dates and started over.

This year, because I am "locked out", I won't be able to do this. So I will be setting up the 2016 challenges, from scratch, as additional files. I recommend that you use the 2016 catalog to find your challenges to avoid the mass of confusion. Give me the day to get these set up.

Sorry no recap for everybody from me, but at least 2015 will still be there for you to review for a while.


message 109: by Almeta (last edited Jan 02, 2017 02:39PM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Here's how I did this year. (2015)

How about you?

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! =71/ 65

Serial Eyes = 140/100

Doorstops = 14/5

Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die = 6/5

Shortcuts =34/ 20

Double Dog Dare = 68/70

Shelving Unit (Sai King Recommends) = 22/20

Chain Link Fence (got-connections) =28/26 (Challenge started in October for actual 32 books read)

LEFT OVER STEW = 14/10

HOME ALONE = 11/30< PITIFUL!!!

DEWEY'S DEPOSITORY = 125/120
(Probably a lot more. I always forget to indicate this shelf.)


Yearbook = 119/120
(This is really 99/120 because some the the years were over read, while others did not reach the goal.)

Authorization (Rock Bottom Remainders) = 2/24 (Obviouslly not focusing here!)

Time Waits for No One (Harlem Renaissance) = 5/5

In A Land Far Far Away = 22/25


message 110: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments Here's my 2015 recap:


[ ]Another chance Goal = 2/5
[X] Doorstops Goal = 22/15
[X] Edingus Goal = 37/20
[X] Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Goal = 69/50
[ ] Home Alone Goal =7/10
[X] Hot Off The Press Goal = 12/5
[X] Serial Eyes Goal = 63/20


message 111: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Here's my 2015 results:

[X] And the Award Goes To = 19/18
[X] Doorstops = 20/18
[X] Hot Off the Press = 160/125
[X] Left Over Stew = 50/50
[X] Reality Check = 101/100
[X] Shelving Unit = 206/200
[X] Shortcut = 381/365


message 112: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Almeta wrote: "I was actually here on January 1st to "force"updates for our challenges and to publish our year-end recap and found that I was locked out of any updating. Got fed up with that, wrote a message to G..."

OUCH! I hope things get cleared up at some point. Sooner than later, of course. Thanks for your work getting 2016 set up. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know!


message 113: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Oooh! Do I hear something squeaking?

Most of them I barely made. Both of you also.

Hey, but we did make them right? :o)


message 114: by Darkpool (last edited Jan 09, 2016 05:12PM) (new)

Darkpool | 55 comments Mixed results here...

✘ Chain link fence 11/12. I really enjoyed this one, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year this year.

✔ Serial Eyes 20/18. Go me!!

✘ Another chance 0/3. Apparently I don't believe in second chances.

✔ Reality Check 6/5 Yay for craft books!

✔ Where's Your Card 42/40

✘ Left Over Stew 4/6 Whoops.

✔ GR Authorization 30/30

✘ Shelving Unit 12/15 Whoops.

✔ Authorization 19/15

✔ Hear Ye 20/20

So.... reasonably happy. Time to think about 2016!


message 115: by Almeta (last edited Jan 09, 2016 03:27PM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote: "Mixed results here...

✘ Chain link fence 11/12. I really enjoyed this one, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year this year...."


This is my favorite Challenge Yourself task. It involves a little more than just a book tally.


message 116: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Darkpool (protesting GR censorship) wrote:

"✘ Another chance 0/3. Apparently I don't believe in second chances...."


So many books, so little time! Why go backward? ☻


message 117: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Almeta wrote: "Oooh! Do I hear something squeaking?

Most of them I barely made. Both of you also.

Hey, but we did make them right? :o)"


Definitely squeaking going on. But a squeaky finish is still a finish, so celebrate!


message 118: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
celebrate photo: Celebrate celebrate-10.jpg


message 119: by Elle (new)

Elle (louiselesley) Howdy folks! How goes the challenges?

I'm doing much better than expected but the majority of my reading has been short poetry books. Only 2 (one was over 800 pages so I'm proud at myself for that one) have been 'actual' novels!


message 120: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Elle wrote: "Howdy folks! How goes the challenges?

I'm doing much better than expected but the majority of my reading has been short poetry books. Only 2 (one was over 800 pages so I'm proud at myself for that..."


I feel so unfocused. I don't think I am reading anything that would help me reach my challenge goals! I knew I was using January to catch up on goals I had missed in 2015, but now it is March and I don't feel the forward momentum yet.

Poetry does not catch my attention (unless it's a limerick). It sounds as though you are doing well with it.

Keep up the good work!☺


message 121: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Almeta wrote: "Elle wrote: "Howdy folks! How goes the challenges?

I'm doing much better than expected but the majority of my reading has been short poetry books. Only 2 (one was over 800 pages so I'm proud at my..."


(At first read, I thought you were saying that one of your "short" poetry books was over 800 pages. Which would make your other poetry books even more impressive in length!)

Sounds like your "actual novels" are pretty intense, so maybe the poetry is just what you need to balance things out!

Personally, I'm behind almost everywhere. I've been reading a lot, just seems to be stuff that doesn't count much towards a few specific goals. We're still in the first quarter of the year, though, so lots o room for improvement!


message 122: by Elle (new)

Elle (louiselesley) Aha. I have got a few massive poetry collections on the go at the minute but I don't see myself finishing those anytime soon.

We do, indeed, have plenty of time left :)

At least you both are reading - that's the main thing!


message 123: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments Those are some big novels!

I have 16 books on my currently reading shelf, so I am hoping that pretty soon I will be able to log a whole batch of them for my challenges.


message 124: by Elle (new)

Elle (louiselesley) I never used to read more than one book at a time but as I've got older I've got so much worse at starting a book and not finishing it.


message 125: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments My problem is I get excited about a new topic and want to read everything about it at the same time. I tell myself if I can follow several tv shows at once and not get lost, I should be able to read books simultaneously!


message 126: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Purple wrote: "My problem is I get excited about a new topic and want to read everything about it at the same time. I tell myself if I can follow several tv shows at once and not get lost, I should be able to rea..."

Now that makes sense! If our minds can handle various tv plots, why not book plots?

Interestingly, I've always been a one-book-at-a-time reader. (Except for the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which I'm always reading.) But recently I keep finding myself with 6-7 books on my currently reading list. And my head isn't exploding. Weird!


message 127: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
I too easily get distracted. I see an interesting book and MUST have it right now. No patience to wait until a time when my shelf is less full of current projects. The stack can get overwhelming.


message 128: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments Almeta wrote: "I too easily get distracted. I see an interesting book and MUST have it right now. No patience to wait until a time when my shelf is less full of current projects. The stack can get overwhelming."

I relate to that so much! I just counted up the new audiobooks I've purchased since January 1 and was shocked. 20!

I'm on track or ahead for most of my challenges. I have just started my first book for "Another Chance". I'm wondering if 5 books as my goal is too high. LOL! As for "Where's Your Library Card", I have one book to go to complete my goal and I will start it today.


message 129: by Almeta (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Janice wrote: "Almeta wrote: "I too easily get distracted. I see an interesting book and MUST have it right now. No patience to wait until a time when my shelf is less full of current projects. The stack can get ..."

Sounds as though you are much better focused!☺


message 130: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments So we are a little over half-way through the year now. How is everyone doing?

Personally, I'm roughly on-target in "doorstoppers", "And the Award Goes To", "Double Dog Dare", and "Help Yourself".

Happily, I'm significantly ahead in "Shelving Unit", "Short Cut", "Back in the Saddle", and "Hot Off the Press".

Sadly, I'm dangerously behind in "Leftover Stew" and "Classics".

Overall, I think I'm averaging well.

And Happy 4th to all, Happy Independence Day to some. :)


message 131: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments I've completed two challenges - "Where's Your Card" and "Back in the Saddle".

One book more in "Doorstops" and "That's Unreal" will complete those two challenges.

I may not finish "Another Chance" and "Home Alone" at the rate those two are going.

The others are pretty much on track, if not slightly ahead.


message 132: by Deborah (new)

Deborah | 33 comments Did you know some of them have ended? Looks like Yearbook, Guardian's 1000, and USA have January end dates instead of December.

I'm not behind on any, but I think I was very conservative in my goals this year. I've even completed a few. Thanks for posting this, I haven't been paying attention to these challenges and I think I'll make some changes when I have time.


message 133: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments Deborah wrote: "Did you know some of them have ended? Looks like Yearbook, Guardian's 1000, and USA have January end dates instead of December."

I think Almeta can go in and change the end date to December 31, 2016.


message 134: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments Hi everyone,

I'm doing pretty well on my Home Alone challenge. I'm one book ahead on that one.

However, I'm two books behind on my other challenge: Shelving Unit. I was doing well during the earlier part of the year, but have really slowed down since the summer started. The drawbacks of the academic life, maybe!


message 135: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Purple wrote: "Hi everyone,

I'm doing pretty well on my Home Alone challenge. I'm one book ahead on that one.

However, I'm two books behind on my other challenge: Shelving Unit. I was doing well during the earl..."


Academic schedules make it really hard to be consistent, for sure!


message 136: by Elle (last edited Aug 13, 2016 06:32AM) (new)

Elle (louiselesley) Hello all!

Academic schedules are insane, I feel that pain. I am finishing up my Masters this year. It was months and months of insane travel and planning and now being glued to a computer. I finished my first book last night since May... MAY.

I'm hopefully getting stuck into my challenges again as I wind down from a crazy few months but I don't see myself finishing a few.

Hope everyone is well.


message 137: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments Well, a new academic year is officially underway. Here's hoping it means more consistent reading!


message 138: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments There can always be hope for more reading time. After all, you can't ever have too much!


message 139: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments So we are getting down to the wire, and I am sure I am going to come up short on several challenges. I have finished 5 challenges, and I'm just about to finish another. There are 2 more that I'm sure I'll finish, but the last 3 are up in the air.


message 140: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments Wow! You have a lot of challenges going. I've almost completed one of mine. I think I have one or two more to go, but I'm not sure about the other challenge. I might just be able to squeak through.


message 141: by Deborah (new)

Deborah | 33 comments I have finished all except two, including the site wide challenge. One I will probably not complete.


message 142: by Jackie (new)

Jackie | 20 comments I have just joined this group and I will wait until the 2017 challenges begin to participate. I have already started to plan the books I want to read for next year. There are a few challenges that will work well for my planning!


message 143: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 64 comments I've finished all but two of my challenges. I will finish one of them in about a week. The other definitely won't be finished. I won't be repeating that challenge next year.


message 144: by Darkpool (new)

Darkpool | 55 comments Having felt like I was doing pretty well through much of the year I now find myself a bit behind on a few of these challenges. I've got one where I've already exceeded the required number, and two that are nearly complete, but the rest are still a way off. Must try harder!


message 145: by Roz (new)

Roz | 39 comments Well, I managed to complete (exceed) 2 of my challenges, came close to 3, got part way into 3 and never even started 2. I'm going to have to be more realistic next year or try harder. Well, there's a month left and I may be able to complete at least one of my "close tos".


message 146: by Roz (last edited Dec 24, 2016 07:43AM) (new)

Roz | 39 comments Here's my final tally:

And the Award Goes to 17/10 (170%) Yay!

X Back in the Saddle 1/5 (20%) Not even on the horse

X Doorstoppers 3/6 (50%) Got tired before I even started

X Double Dog Dare 7/10 (70%) Got distracted too many times

X eDingus 6/10 (60%) Could have done better here

X Home Alone 0/15 (0%) And my real shelves are groaning!

X Left Over Stew 1/10 (10%) Terrible ! And now I have more to add

Serial Eyes 30/30 (100%) Yes!!

That's Unreal - Historical Fiction 21/20 (105%) Yay!

Where's Your Card 53/20 (265%) Got this one.

I'm definitely going to have to make some adjustments for 2017.


message 147: by Purple (new)

Purple Iris (purpleiris) | 61 comments I refuse to do a final tally until the 31st! :D Hope springs eternal. :)


message 148: by Elizabeth S (new)

Elizabeth S (esorenson) | 105 comments Purple wrote: "I refuse to do a final tally until the 31st! :D Hope springs eternal. :)"

Good idea, Purple. It ain't over until it is over.


message 149: by Almeta (last edited Dec 27, 2016 03:51AM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
Roz wrote: "Here's my final tally:

✔ And the Award Goes to 17/10 (170%) Yay!

X Back in the Saddle 1/5 (20%) Not even on the horse

X Doorstoppers 3/6 (50%) Got tired before I even started

X Double Dog Dare..."


Love your comments Roz! ☺


message 150: by Almeta (last edited Dec 27, 2016 03:56AM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 381 comments Mod
I am going through all of my challenges now, to force some updates. I hope that I don't have to do that to very many.

I am feeling pretty confident on most of them. Home Alone is likely to be a failure again. I tell myself that I should stop setting that goal...BUT REALLY that is the one challenge to which I SHOULD be paying close attention!☻


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